Could Bruins add power with Whalers' Wilson?

With NHL teams on the lookout for the next legitimate power
forward in the mold of Milan Lucic, it comes as no surprise that
Plymouth Whalers winger Tom Wilson tops the list when it
comes to 2012 draft eligibles who best resemble Boston’s
bruiser.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Wilson is coming off a
disappointing second-round playoff defeat to the Kitchener Rangers
in a series that went the distance in seven grueling
games. Although the Toronto native was once thought to
be the kind of player who would be sitting there for the B’s
at the bottom of the opening round in the June 22 NHL Entry
Draft, Wilson’s seven goal, 13-point performance in as
many games may have put the hard-nosed forward out of
Boston’s reach.

“I’d much rather still be
playing,” Wilson said recently after hitting the
weight room hard in preparation for the annual scouting and draft
combine in early June. “It’s a disappointment to come
up short in the playoffs, so I just have to work harder and focus
on the next important event."

Wilson was born and raised in Toronto, so he
developed a rooting interest in the hometown Maple Leafs. However,
because his father was born in Montreal and is a Canadiens
fan, Wilsonalso had ties to the Habs as a youngster. Those
loyalties stand in stark contrast to the one NHL player the
Plymouth forward admires the most these days.

“The player I try to pattern my game after is Milan
Lucic,” said Wilson. “He’s a big, physical
winger who plays the game like I do. Just the way he
uses his size and skill to make big hits and score goals,
he’s definitely someone I try to get as much as I can from
when I watch him.”

Wilson also cited Mats Sundin as a favorite player as a
youngster growing up in Toronto more for the former
All-Star’s character and leadership.

The 27th overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection
two years ago by Plymouth (early second round) has shown
significant progress since coming out of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens
AAA minor program. Wilson is that strong,
edgy player with skill who can alter the tempo of the
game with a big hit, fight or key goal or assist.

“The big thing for me is going out there and working
hard,” he said. “I’m trying to create space for
my linemates wherever I can. I use my body and strength to get my
more skilled goal scorers the puck and I bring a good physicality
to the mix by finishing my checks. “

And what about that big, wide-bodied frame that should
pack on an additional 10-20 pounds of muscle
when Wilson reaches his physical peak.

“I would say I bring a good net presence,” he
said. “I park myself in front of the net and try to tip pucks
on goal and do whatever I can to help my team score.”

When looking for areas to improve upon, Wilson said
the adjustment to the speed at higher levels and being able to do
things at a quicker pace will be a challenge for him.

“Doing everything at full speed is going to be
tough,” he noted. “Everyone can have good hands or make
plays standing still or when they have time out there. The NHL and
professional game is so much faster than junior, with everything
happening at full speed. I think that will take a lot of getting
used to and is something I have to keep working on.”

Wilson’s regular season numbers were similar to
Lucic’s back during his draft year in 2005-06: both scored
nine regular season goals. Lucic progressed to 30 the
season after he was picked 50th overall, earning 2007 Memorial
Cup MVP honors to cap off that campaign. Wilson has been
a more productive playmaker in his draft season with the Whalers,
and his impressive playoff stats may be whatever a team picking
top-20 needed to take the plunge on draft day.

“I’m very excited,” Wilson said when
asked about attending the draft in Pittsburgh. “Obviously,
when you’re still playing it’s easier to put everything
in the back of your mind. But now, with the draft looming up
closer, it’s something I’m thinking about and I’m
looking forward to seeing where I end up.”

Wilson’s presence in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game
earned him respect and praise in NHL circles for his effective
power game.

“I think he made a statement there,” said an NHL
scout. “Everyone is looking for that next Lucic it seems, and
if you look at the way Wilson plays, you can see the
similarities.”

As for Wilson, he had a specific game plan going into
the annual contest which usually ends up being an exhibition for
the most skilled among the CHL draft class.

“It’s such a privilege to go to something like
that with so many talented players,” he said of the
opportunity to skate in the CHL Top Prospects Game. “I tried
to separate myself from some of the more skilled players by playing
a big physical game, going out and making a lot of hits, and even
fighting.”

Coached by former Bruin and future Hall of Famer Mark
Recchi, Wilson relished the experience to interact with
his peers who are going through the same process, while having the
former NHL star remind them to have fun and “soak it all
in.”

Wilson has done just that by embracing his role on the
Whalers as a fan favorite and budding offensive star.

“The Plymouth organization is amazing,” he said.
“It produces great pros, we have a terrific coach in Mike
Vellucci, and the fans are so good to us. I couldn’t ask for
a better situation as a player.”

Now, with just a little over a month
between Wilson and the NHL draft combine, he’ll
complete the next phase of work in the weight room to get himself
ready for physical testing. If his work ethic on the ice is any
indication of what is to come, he’ll come out of the Combine
with high marks.

After that, he’ll wait those last three weeks for the
draft and see what the next situation brings.